Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-31


subject by Assessor Dodge in his report OF 1873.
Assessor Dodge then suggested the appointment
OF six subordinate assessors with respectable COM
penSatton. Mr.. Fish submits statements TO show
the defects and inequalities OF the present system
OF assessing. and its injustice to the Taxpayers
PROPOSED coDIFICATIoN OF LAWS.
1.-THE importance OF clear and simple laws, to
enable the authorities and Taxpayers to under.
stand each other" MIR. Fish says, "is indispensa-
BILE to the best interests OF the District To wait
for the codincaon OF oil the laws seems like post
poning Indefinitely the correction OF our tax laws.
The tax laws are so Jumoled and confused, spread
Ing over SO many years. and through
different forms OF municipal government that 1t
would be folly to expect Congress to prepare o
commission be appointed to codfy all the laws
pertaining to taxes and licenses and the collection
OF the same, and prepare an Assessment or tax-biu
Tor submission to Congress.
TAX SALES.
"The annual advertising of property on which
the tax is due does not accomplish what was in
tended-the payment Of taxes In arrears. Our
taxpayers are very prompt In payment OF taxes,
and compare most favorably with those Of other
cities but there will always be delinquent class
until 1t is certain that when their property 10
sold after certain liked time the title will IRE
vocaoly pass and be indisputabe. II is hoped
that you will be able to secure suitable legisla-
ton on this subject this session OF Congress.
PAYING TAXES IN TWO ISsTAIMRSTS-
'ThiS method OF accommodating taxpayers does
not meet expectations; 1t is the cause OF much of
the arrears OF taxes. People pay the first half.
and thinking they have paid the whole Of the tax,
remain in ignorance until by advertisement. or
when The title is searched, It Ia found that the
second half Is unpaid. IL makes 1t impossible 10
examine the ledsers and BY comparison with the
daily cash receipts see II the payments are duly
credited. Before the payments OF the first half are
received and posted it Is lime TO arrange
the books for receipt OF the second pay ment. Il Is
this system that has caused the tax books to re-
main unaulitel for such long Periods" lie recon-
mends in lieu OF two instalments one payment in
prompt payments, 10 make an abatement OF .
per cent il all Is paid In November, per cent In
december, and 3 per cent IN JanuAry, and on the
ni.t vi February charge 10 per cent interest per
annuln in lieu OF all penalties
he urges the necessity Of providing suitable
plats OF subdivision property Tor tue assessors
pits Oh recent Subdivisions. lac invites atten.Un
to the necessity OF action In relation 10 the - vet
o. ground Oh the north side of street northwest,
between 1th ana 1otn streets. ''lt seems W ine,
he adds, THAT the General Government might Ue
induced TO place the title Ia the present owners, IN
order tnat II may Dc properly used, improved, aud
assessed"
"The arguments against this tax In this Dis
trict,r Mr.. Fish says, "have been fully and ably
set forth IN the reports OF my predecessor, espe-
cially In his repor.s OF 1879 anu lss-, TO which
reference Is invited Inc experience OF every year
Since adds 10 the force or those views Ine per-
sonL!-tax laws, II not entirely removed,
he eaas by the rrowts
the city and low rate Of Interest. Money be
had here on real estate security Tor pei ceut-tu
ferrous. II is just aud proper that loans upon rel
estate SHOULD not be taAeI Ia conciudin. ais re-
port ar. FISH Calls attention TO Jne Responsibilities
and aruuUuo duties IiipVs,t upon bis c.crAa, AID
says Luey have less pay Luan the C.erAS ia any
other portion OF the District government
1HE ESTIMATES.
In submitting the estimates OF the assessors
Office Mr. Fish says: "Tne District OF Columbia Is
rapidly increasing IN population, improvements,
wealth ami lup Jrt anCe IS the federal cily, and
the LABOR, or It's odILiS increase wlLn its pro- ress
Il Especially Is this The Case In The asoeS,O's ce.
" nile tine work has Increased The iorce has not
upon it, In the one item OF tranafe. !
OF property, in 1850 there were ABOUT
1900 transfers, in 1857 there were $500. aud IN
1905, II Is estimLteL, Lere Wiil be ne, yUU0 Tue
C.erAs In this Once nave becolne 'expe. a. and
tlelr services should receive JUST cOmpen-,AllOn.
he labor VI ASSESSING and prep ring tue books VI
entire District few years ago. As nearly aII the
revenues are derived from the iauor ol
eilioientiy those ia6ors are performed
the better satisfied will parties be. Much prop
erty escape taxation from want OF proper lo.ce
and cOi.ect IT,. The district has suffered
because this Office has not Deeu provided VITA a
proper force Oh clerks aud adequate conpenoation
he submits The loiio"1ng esl1uates ,or the en-
suing Year: ASSESSMENT DranCu-asoeoSor, 81, OUO:
assistant assessor, 5000; assistant a>sessur,
81 800; one cierA, $l,OUU; one clerk, II 4OO; one
cLeIk anu ufauS ueouidb, 81, 4UUs Tour ClerkS at
sl,2oO each, $4,000; one clerA, $1,000 Total
1900.
License branch-One license clerk, 81, 400; one
Inspector or licenses, $1,000; one assistant In
spector OF licenses. $500; totaL 5000.
one messenger, $40.
Contingent EXPENSES, 81 600.
Grand IOLal FOR office, s:sis. $40.
In This estimate are lncluded two clerks at
81 400 each. and one at 81 ,2OO, NOW appropriated
Ior On the collectors estlluve, but who should De
on the assessor roll.
THE BILL. PROPOSED BY MR. FISH
The bill which Nj. Fish submits with his report
Is entitled "An act to levy an assessment OF the
real estate in the District OF Columbia in the year
1889, for the purposes OF taxation" 1t provides
that ''the Commissioners shall, on the FIRST Mon
day OF January, 1859, or as soon thereafter az
practicable, divide the District OF Columbia into
Six assessment districts, and appoint sub
assessor Tor each district, who shall receive
an annual salary OF 81, 500 each and be a ,ident
Of the district TO when appointed. The duties OF
said subassessOrs shall be TO assess ali prop
erty IN the District OF Columbia at its true CASH
value on the first day OF july in each year, and
make 4 return OF the same TO the Assessor vi
the District, on or before the nrst Monday
in July. They shall also perform such
other duties may be required by the assessor OF
the District will facilitate the business OF his
Office, and shall have power to administer oaths
aDDle oIlice room in his district. The Commits
sioners shall provide an Office for said sub asses
sors, and two or more shall be In at
tendance daily, to hear and determine CON-
@nae s sa aPe II
in the assessment Of land or improvements or
that Improvements have been injured or destroyed
by Hood OF fire, they may with concurrence OF
the assessor OF the District correct said error OF
assessment.
Appointments by the President.